Dispute over exotic services leads to assault charge

BAR HARBOR, Maine — A Jamaican man working in town for the summer was arrested early Monday after he allegedly punched a woman in the face after they started fighting over money, according to police.

The man told police he had hired the woman as a prostitute, Sgt. David Kerns said Tuesday. The alleged victim in the case claims she was hired as an exotic dancer and that she was sexually assaulted by the man.

Facing charges in the matter is Michael R. Dickson, 35, who lives at a house at Edgewood Place that is being used for seasonal employee housing, according to Kerns. Dickson was arrested on charges of criminal mischief, assault and engaging a prostitute, according to police.

Kerns said the altercation occurred about 10 minutes before 3 a.m. Monday when the alleged victim and Dickson disagreed over how much she would charge for her services. Dickson told police, Kerns said, that they had agreed on $100 but that the woman tried to take $200 from him.

“They were fighting over the cash amount,” Kerns said.

Dickson is accused of punching the woman in the face, while he suffered scratches to his face during the confrontation, according to Kerns. Neither received medical treatment for the injuries, which are not considered serious, he said.

Dickson later was released from custody in Bar Harbor after posting $100 bail at the local police station, Kerns said.

Police are investigating the woman’s claims that she was sexually assaulted, Kerns said.

The victim is from Hermon and traveled to Bar Harbor after being hired by Dickson, the officer said. Additional charges could end up being filed in the case, he said.

The woman, whose name is not being disclosed because she is allegedly a victim in this case, was charged in May with engaging in prostitution as a result of an undercover police sting in Brewer, according to reports previously published in the Bangor Daily News.